One dead in Seward Highway crash

ANCHORAGE - One person has died and two others are hurt in a five-vehicle crash on the Seward Highway.

Alaska State Troopers said the crash occurred shortly before 3:30 p.m. Friday about a mile north of Girdwood.

Troopers spokeswoman Megan Peters said a northbound driver lost control at the wheel while passing another car and struck a southbound vehicle. Peters says the person who died had been in the southbound car.

The crash caused a chain reaction that involved two other vehicles, including one hauling two snowmobiles. Peters said one of the snowmobiles flew off and struck the fifth vehicle.

The northbound driver was seriously hurt and another person was injured. Peters said both were taken by ambulance to Anchorage.

Peters said the highway has been closed but is expected to open later Friday.